Cape Wrath Classic Guided Trail

Our Cape Wrath Classic route takes a selection of the best bits of this fantastic wilderness, walking from Cape Wrath to end in the fishing village of Lochinver. You’ll enjoy a genuine wilderness experience coupled with warm highland hospitality and a chance to see a fantastic range of wildlife. Cape Wrath - the most north-westerly point in Britain. Sandwood Bay - one of the most beautiful beaches in Britain. Ascend the spectacular pyramid of Ben Stack. Visit the bird reserve on Handa Island and walk beneath the majestic Suilven.

Holiday Highlights

Wilderness Walking from Cape Wrath through to Lochinver

Cape Wrath - mainalnad Britain's most north-westerly point

Handa Island Bird Reserve

Climb the imposing Ben Stack and walk by the dramatic Suilven mountains

Transfer from Inverness rail station and airport, leader introduction and evening meal.

Rhiconich Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Situated just 13 miles south of Cape Wrath and overlooking Loch Inchard, the Rhiconich Hotel offers a warm welcome and excellent food. There is a lounge and public bar, an upstairs dining area that makes the most of the views across the loch and a residents' reception room with a log fire. The surrounding area is remote stalking and fishing country, the nearest village being the fishing port of Kinlochbervie, 6 miles away. All rooms are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities,hairdryer, TV and WiFi. There is a small drying room for clothes and boots

Our first day gives us a chance to familiarise with the area and the type of walking we can expect for the next two days. We start on the coast just east of Durness and explore the abandoned township of Ceannabeine, before heading steeply up Beinn Ceannabeinne itself with stunning views in all directions. Taking an easier route down, we head for the famous Smoo Cave and the beautiful coastal scenery of the area. Passing the delightful Sango Sands beach and the village of Durness, we finish our walk at Balnakeil Craft Village to maybe enjoy a hot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain, or have a paddle on Balnakeil Beach.

8½ miles (13.5km) with 1,600 feet (490m) of ascent.

Rhiconich Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Situated just 13 miles south of Cape Wrath and overlooking Loch Inchard, the Rhiconich Hotel offers a warm welcome and excellent food. There is a lounge and public bar, an upstairs dining area that makes the most of the views across the loch and a residents' reception room with a log fire. The surrounding area is remote stalking and fishing country, the nearest village being the fishing port of Kinlochbervie, 6 miles away. All rooms are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities,hairdryer, TV and WiFi. There is a small drying room for clothes and boots

We use a ferry to cross the Kyle of Durness and a minibus takes us to Cape Wrath, the most northerly point on the mainland in a stunning setting with its lighthouse sitting on top of some of the highest cliffs in Britain. From Cape Wrath you'll walk across pathless terrain to Sandwood Bay and its famous sea stack, Am Buchaille. This is a wild and remote area. There are no escape routes or vehicular access and the route can involve crossing rivers, bog and peat hags. The rewards however are spectacular.

14 miles (22 km) with 1,500 feet (450m) of ascent.

Rhiconich Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Situated just 13 miles south of Cape Wrath and overlooking Loch Inchard, the Rhiconich Hotel offers a warm welcome and excellent food. There is a lounge and public bar, an upstairs dining area that makes the most of the views across the loch and a residents' reception room with a log fire. The surrounding area is remote stalking and fishing country, the nearest village being the fishing port of Kinlochbervie, 6 miles away. All rooms are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities,hairdryer, TV and WiFi. There is a small drying room for clothes and boots

Walk along the delightful banks of the River Laxford, one of Scotland's finest salmon rivers, followed by an ascent of the pyramidal Ben Stack. The walk on Ben Stack is steep in places with only intermittent paths and leads to a fine summit ridge with fine views to Arkle and Foinavon.

7½ miles (12.5 km) with 2,500 feet (760m) of ascent.

Rhiconich Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Situated just 13 miles south of Cape Wrath and overlooking Loch Inchard, the Rhiconich Hotel offers a warm welcome and excellent food. There is a lounge and public bar, an upstairs dining area that makes the most of the views across the loch and a residents' reception room with a log fire. The surrounding area is remote stalking and fishing country, the nearest village being the fishing port of Kinlochbervie, 6 miles away. All rooms are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities,hairdryer, TV and WiFi. There is a small drying room for clothes and boots

Follow a good path across to Kylesku at the mouth of Loch Coul, and take a boat trip on Glendhu Loch with spectacular views of the local mountains and amazing geology and bird life.

8 miles (13km) with 1,320 feet (400m) of ascent.

Rhiconich Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Situated just 13 miles south of Cape Wrath and overlooking Loch Inchard, the Rhiconich Hotel offers a warm welcome and excellent food. There is a lounge and public bar, an upstairs dining area that makes the most of the views across the loch and a residents' reception room with a log fire. The surrounding area is remote stalking and fishing country, the nearest village being the fishing port of Kinlochbervie, 6 miles away. All rooms are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities,hairdryer, TV and WiFi. There is a small drying room for clothes and boots

A short ferry crossing takes you to this RSPB Bird Reserve where we have plenty of time to watch the sea birds and enjoy a superb cliff top walk around the island visiting the Great Stack of Handa. Occasionally dolphins and even whales can be seen.

4 miles (6.5 km) with 500 feet (150m) of ascent.

Inchnadamaph Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Inchnadamph means 'meeting place of the deer' and you’ll see plenty of red deer here. The rather isolated Inchnadamph Hotel lies at the foot of the main mountains of Assynt such as Ben More Assynt and Conival and nearby are the well-known ‘Bone Caves’, where relics of lynx, arctic fox, reindeer, polar bear and human skeletons have been found. The area is also a mecca for geologists. The hotel offers a public and residents' dining area along with a popular walkers' bar. Many rooms have views out to Quinag. Rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryer (on request). There are no TV facilities at this hotel, limited WiFi and very poor mobile phone reception. Drying facilities for clothing and boots is excellent.

A walk from Loch an Gainmhich through wild and remote scenery to the delightful Loch Bealach a Bhuirich. From here an excellent stalkers' path brings us up to the pass between Glas Bheinn and Beinn Uidhe, where ptarmigan can sometimes be seen, before descending across country to our hotel at Inchnadamph.

10 miles (16km) with 2,250 feet (680m) of ascent.

Inchnadamaph Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Inchnadamph means 'meeting place of the deer' and you’ll see plenty of red deer here. The rather isolated Inchnadamph Hotel lies at the foot of the main mountains of Assynt such as Ben More Assynt and Conival and nearby are the well-known ‘Bone Caves’, where relics of lynx, arctic fox, reindeer, polar bear and human skeletons have been found. The area is also a mecca for geologists. The hotel offers a public and residents' dining area along with a popular walkers' bar. Many rooms have views out to Quinag. Rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryer (on request). There are no TV facilities at this hotel, limited WiFi and very poor mobile phone reception. Drying facilities for clothing and boots is excellent.

Trek through some of the wildest and most dramatic scenery in Scotland beneath Canisp and the iconic Suilven, whose ever changing form and dramatic outline will captivate you. The route finishes at Lochinver.

12 miles (19km) with 800 feet (245m) of ascent.

Inchnadamaph Hotel - Cape Wrath Classic

Inchnadamph means 'meeting place of the deer' and you’ll see plenty of red deer here. The rather isolated Inchnadamph Hotel lies at the foot of the main mountains of Assynt such as Ben More Assynt and Conival and nearby are the well-known ‘Bone Caves’, where relics of lynx, arctic fox, reindeer, polar bear and human skeletons have been found. The area is also a mecca for geologists. The hotel offers a public and residents' dining area along with a popular walkers' bar. Many rooms have views out to Quinag. Rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryer (on request). There are no TV facilities at this hotel, limited WiFi and very poor mobile phone reception. Drying facilities for clothing and boots is excellent.

Transfer back to Inverness airport and rail station.

What to Bring

Essential Equipment

To enjoy walking/hiking comfortably and safely, footwear, clothing and equipment needs to be suitable for the conditions. Safety and comfort are our priorities, so our advice is to come prepared for all eventualities.

Footwear with a good grip on the sole (e.g.Vibram sole) is the key to avoiding accidents

Walking/hiking boots providing ankle support and good grip are recommended (ideally worn in), and specialist walking socks to avoid blisters. Trekking/approach shoes are not recommended for this trek

Sturdy sandals for any river and stream crossings. This is most relevant to the June departure

Several layers of clothing, which can be added or removed, are better than a single layer (include spares)

Fabrics (lightweight and fast drying) designed for the outdoors are recommended